Seat construction

ABSTRACT

A chair comprising a floor or ground-engaging support having an external seat and back-supporting frame affixed thereto, and an integral substantially L-shaped substantially rigid sheet-form seat and back member having a peripheral frame disposed internally with respect to the supporting frame and supported by the external frame. In an improved embodiment a plate is affixed to the peripheral frame of the seat and back member having a plurality of slots, and a strap mounted over the external frame has its ends engaged in the slots of the buckle.

United States Patent 1191 Lester 1451 Oct. 21, 1975 SEAT CONSTRUCTION FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [75] Inventor: Fritz Kalamazoo, Mich- 523.223 4/1955 Italy 24/265 c 6,6l6,242 5/1968 Netherlands 297/445 [73] Asslgnee' L'ane Lester Kalamazoo 219,221 1/1962 Austria 297/452 [22] Filed: Nov. 28, 1973 [2|] App! 419,685 Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gordon W. Hueschen [52] US. Cl 297/445; 297/452; 5/186 R 511 int. c1. 1147c 7/14; A47C 7/23 [571 ABSTRAcT [58] Field of Search 297/441, 445, 450-452, A Chair comprising a floor or ground-engaging support 297/457, 458, 368; 160/371, 402; having an external seat and back-supporting frame af 5/186 R, 211 fixed thereto, and an integral substantially L-shaped substantially rigid sheet-form seat and back member [56] References Cited having a peripheral frame disposed internally with re- UNITED STATES PATENTS spect to the supporting frame and supported by the 7 external frame. ln an improved embodiment a plate 1s 52%; i5 .si iii/iii affixed 9 the P 9 frame of the seat and back 3:061:374 10/1962 Grosfillex "I: 297/445 member having a Pluralily of Slots and a Strap 3,152,836 10/1964 297/452 mounted over the external frame as it nds engaged 3,179,469 4/1965 Heuston 297/452 in the slots of the buckle. 3,384,148 5/l968 Sarginson et al. 297/452 3,471,200 10/1969 Morrison 297/441 9 Clam". 13 Drawmg Flgures 3,636,574 1/1972 Kramer 5/I86 R 20 J0 J0 J0 1, P 4 l l 17 2a 15 ea 17 11 j] 7' ll 13 U.S. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,913,978

U.S. Patent 0a. 21, 1975 Sheet 2. of2 3,913,978

SEAT consraucrron BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention The present invention relates to chairs, and is more particularly concerned with a novel chair structure particularly the type that may be used outdoors or as lawn furniture.

2. Prior Art Chairs having a tubular frame with seat and back members attached thereto are known in the art. Most such chair structures have seat and back members formed of interwoven plastic web. Other structures utilizing fabric for the seat and back members are also known. Such structures are generally satisfactory but have certain deficiencies such as relatively high cost, and difficulty of fabrication. Additionally seat and back members made of plastic materials or fabrics generally wear and must be replaced after relatively short periods, particularly when used outdoors.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a chair structure which is strong and does not require replacement of the elements over extended periods of time. It is an additional object to provide a chair structure having a frame, and a seat and back integral structure which may be fabricated from sheet metal. It is still another object to provide a chair structure which may be readily and inexpensively fabricated and assembled. it is an additional object to provide a novel means for mounting an integral seat and back member on an exterior chair frame which is strong and relatively inexpensive. It is still another object to provide a chair structure so designed that the seat and back member permits the use of two color assembly as well as interchangeability of seat members. Still other objects will readily present themselves to one skilled in the art upon reference to the ensuing specification, the drawings, and the claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, a chair is provided having a ground-engaging support and an external seat and back-supporting frame affixed to the support. An integral substantially rigid sheet-form seat and back memher having a peripheral frame is disposed within the external frame and affixed thereto. A plurality of novel flexible strap fasteners are provided for attaching the seat and back member to the supporting frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a chair according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the structure of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view ofa somewhat modified embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a frame of a chair according to still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a plate utilized in mounting the seat and back to the frame.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a portion ofa back and seat member mounted on a tubular frame section.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of a seat and back member having a mounting tab.

FIG. 9A is a fragmentary sectional view showing the connection of a tab member with a transverse supporting member.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view ofa portion of a seat and back member having a modified aperture configuration.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of a seat and back member having a still further modified aperture structure, and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary plan view ofa portion of a seat and back member having a still further modified aperture pattern.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a chair 10 according to the invention is shown, comprising a pair of parallel spaced-apart triangular floor support members 11, having a pair of parallel spacedapart triangular vertical support members 12 affixed thereto by welding the support members 11 to the apex l3 and a midportion of each of the support members 12. A transverse frame member 15 in the form of a rod is affixed at the apex 13 of the support members 12. An integral L-shaped outer frame member 16in the form ofa closed geometric figure is affixed to base 14 of the triangular vertical support member 12 by means such as welding. The L- shaped frame 16 comprises a pair of horizontal lateral members 17 joined by a lower transverse member 18 and a pair of vertical lateral members 19 joined by an upper transverse member 20. The lateral members 17 and 19 and the transverse members 18 and 20 are integral and coextensive with each other and form an L- shaped closed geometric figure. Mounted inside the L- shaped frame I6 is an L-shaped seat and back member 21. The seat and back member 21 comprises an apertured central portion 22 forming a web, and a solid peripheral border 23 surrounding the entire apertured portion 22. The lower portion 24 of the seat and back member 21 forms a seat and the upper portion 25 forms a back. The seat and back member 21 is mounted on the outer frame 16 by means of plates 28, affixed to the peripheral border 23 by rivets or by welding, the detailed structure of which is shown in FIGS. 6-8, and straps 30 shown in detail in FIGS. 7 and 8.

In assembling the structure shown in FIGS. 1-3, a strap 30 of a material such as plastic, leather, rubber, etc., is secured in the plate 28 by engaging one end in a pair of slots 57 and 58 provided in the buckle, as shown in FIGS. 6-8. The other end is then looped over a transverse frame member 18 or 20, and engaged in the other slots 59 and 60 of the buckle. This provides a rapid and secure form of engagement. When the straps eventually wear out, they may be quickly replaced by new straps.

Although it is generally desired that the outer frame 16 be generally in the form shown in FIGS. 1-3, the supporting structure may take any ofa large number of shapes. FIG. 4 shows a floor support frame 35 in the form of a pair of spaced-apart trapezoids. An L-shaped frame 36 is affixed to the upper portion of the support 35. A transverse frame member 37 is welded at the bottom of the base members 35. The L-shaped seat and back member 36 may be one such as shown in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, and may be utilized and mounted in the same manner as shown.

A somewhat modified outer frame and floor support 40 are shown in FIG. and comprise a rear portion 41 having an outer back frame 42 and a rear leg assembly 43. Affixed to the assembly 41 by welding is an L- shaped frame 44 comprising an outer seat support 45 and a front leg assembly 46. A transverse frame member 47 connects the side members and cooperates with structures 42, 49, 45, and 47 to form the L-shaped outer frame 44. A longitudinal frame member 48 is affixed at its ends to the rear leg assembly 43 and the front leg assembly 46. A seat and back assembly may be mounted similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-3, by mounting. The upper portion is affixed by two plate and strap assemblies to an upper transverse member 49 and the lower portion is connected by two plate and strap assemblies to the transverse member 47.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, plate and strap assemblies are shown and comprise the plate 28 having slots 57, 58, 59, and 60. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, one end of the plate 28 is riveted or welded to the peripheral margin 64 of a seat and back member 65 shown having a rectangular mesh.

The strap 30 may be engaged in the slots of the plate 28 in any of several ways. As shown in FIG. 7, one end of the strap passes upwardly through the slot 57 and downwardly through the slot 58, and the other end of the strap passes downwardly through the slot 59 and upwardly through the slot 60. Since the ends of the strap are arranged intermediate the buckle and the main portion of the strap, a clamping action is obtained to prevent the strap from slipping. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 8, one end of the strap passes upwardly through the slot 57 and downwardly through the slot 58, and the other end of the strap passes downwardly through the slot 60, upwardly through the slot 59, and downwardly through the slot 58 together with the other end of the strap, both being compressed against the buckle by the main portion of the strap to achieve a locking action.

Although the seat and back member may be formed of solid sheet-form metal, it is advantageous to provide apertures to facilitate air circulation, and many patterns and forms may be used. FIG. 9 shows a portion of a seat and back member 70 having a peripheral border 71 and circular apertures 72. Additionally, an integral mounting tab 73 is provided for mounting on a transverse frame member 18 or 20. FIG. 9A illustrates how the tab 73 is bent over a transverse member 18 or in order to secure the seat and back member to the outer frame. FIG. 10 illustrates a portion of a seat and back member 74 having a peripheral margin 75 and wherein the apertures 76 are in the form of squares.

FIG. 11 shows a portion of a seat and back member 78 having a peripheral border 79 and apertures 80 in the form of elongated slots having radiused ends.

FIG. 12 illustrates a portion of a seat and back member 83 having a peripheral border 84 and apertures 85 in the form of diamonds. Many other patterns may be utilized and are to be considered as being within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The seat structure of the present invention has many advantages. The frames may be constructed of conventional aluminum or steel tubing or solid rods, readily available. The seat member may be formed of a sheet of steel, aluminum, plastic materials, or similar substan tially rigid materials. It may be readily fabricated and stamped to provide a web structure providing adequate ventilation. The seat and back member may be readily mounted on the frame and is securely supported thereon by the strap and plate combination shown and described. Additionally, a plurality of integral tabs may be provided at the periphery of the seat and back member which may be bent over the transverse members and thereby secured thereto. Moreover, the separate construction of the seat and back member permits the use of two color assembly, as well as interchangeability of seat members. Various types of supporting structures may be utilized to support the outer seat and back frame, and many geometrical and aesthetic forms may be utilized such as circles, triangles, rectangles, trapezoids, and many other geometric forms. The chairs have an attractive appearance and will withstand long usage both indoors and outdoors.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details of operation or structure shown and described, as obvious modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

Although the foregoing embodiments are preferred, the rigid plates of FIG. 6 may, for example, be separate or discreet from the seat and back member and have straps extending through means, e.g., slots, provided in the borders of said seat and back member. Additionally, tab 73 in FIG. 9 can be affixed to the seat and back member at its border as by welding, riveting, or other suitable means. In addition, the plate such as shown in FIG. 6 may not only be affixed to the peripheral margin or border of the seat and back member, as by riveting, welding, or the like, but it may also be integral therewith, in the manner that tab 73 (as shown in FIG. 9) is integral therewith.

I claim:

1. A chair comprising in combination:

1. a floor or ground-engaging support,

2. an external seat and back supporting frame affixed to said floor or ground-engaging support having an upper and lower transverse frame member, parallel to each other and to the floor,

3. an integral substantially rigid sheet-form seat and back member being substantially L-shaped in vertical longitudinal section disposed internally with respect to said supporting frame, with the top edge parallel to and spaced from the upper transverse member and with the bottom edge parallel to and spaced from the lower transverse member, and

4. means attaching said seat and back member and supporting same solely at the ends thereof to the upper and lower transverse members of said supporting frame, said means consisting of at least two non-flexible tabs projecting from the top edge of said seat toward the upper transverse member but terminating short of it, at least two non-flexible tabs projecting from the bottom edge of said seat toward the lower transverse member but terminating short of it, and a like number of flexible straps looped over their respective transverse member with both ends of each strap fastened to one tab, one end being fastened to one side of the tab and the other end being fastened to the other side of the tab.

2. The chair of claim 1 in which each tab has a plurality of slots parallel to the transverse members and each free end of each flexible strap is passed through at least one slot and back through another slot where the free end is then confined between the strap and the tab.

3. A chair according to claim 1, wherein said nonflexible tabs are affixed to the edges of said seat and back member.

4. A chair according to claim I, wherein said nonflexible tabs are discrete from said seat and back membet, and said straps extend through means provided in the edges of said seat and back member.

5. A chair according to claim 1, wherein said floor or ground-engaging support comprises a pair of spaced apart elongate members in the form of a closed geometric figure.

6. A chair according to claim 1, wherein said external seat and back supporting frame is in the form of an L- shaped closed geometric figure.

7. A chair according to claim 1, wherein said seat and back member is perforated and has an integral peripheral frame.

8. A chair according to claim 5, wherein said floor or ground-engaging support comprises a pair of spacedapart elongate members each in the form of a pair of triangles affixed to each other.

9. A chair according to claim 5, wherein said closed geometric figures are trapezoids.

* i i i 

1. A chair comprising in combination:
 1. a floor or ground-engaging support,
 2. an external seat and back supporting frame affixed to said floor or ground-engaging support having an upper and lower transverse frame member, parallel to each other and to the floor,
 3. an integral substantially rigid sheet-form seat and back member being substantially L-shaped in vertical longitudinal section disposed internally with respect to said supporting frame, with the top edge parallel to and spaced from the upper transverse member and with the bottom edge parallel to and spaced from the lower transverse member, and
 4. means attaching said seat and back member and supporting same solely at the ends thereof to the upper and lower transverse members of said supporting frame, said means consisting of at least two non-flexible tabs projecting from the top edge of said seat toward the upper transverse member but terminating short of it, at least two non-flexible tabs projecting from the bottom edge of said seat toward the lower transverse member but terminating short of it, and a like number of flexible straps looped over their respective transverse member with both ends of each strap fastened to one tab, one end being fastened to one side of the tab and the other end being fastened to the other side of the tab.
 2. an external seat and back supporting frame affixed to said floor or ground-engaging support having an upper and lower transverse frame member, parallel to each other and to the floor,
 2. The chair of claim 1 in which each tab has a plurality of slots parallel to the transverse members and each free end of each flexible strap is passed through at least one slot and back through another slot where the free end is then confined between the strap and the tab.
 3. A chair according to claim 1, wherein said non-flexible tabs are affixed to the edges of said seat and back member.
 3. an integral substantially rigid sheet-form seat and back member being substantially L-shaped in vertical longitudinal section disposed internally with respect to said supporting frame, with the top edge parallel to and spaced from the upper transverse member and with the bottom edge parallel to and spaced from the lower transverse member, and
 4. means attaching said seat and back member and supporting same solely at the ends thereof to the upper and lower transverse members of said supporting frame, said means consisting of at least two non-flexible tabs projecting from the top edge of said seat toward the upper transverse member but terminating short of it, at least two non-flexible tabs projecting from the bottom edge of said seat toward the lower transverse member but terminating short of it, and a like number of flexible straps looped over their respective transverse member with both ends of each strap fastened to one tab, one end being fastened to one side of the tab and the other end being fastened to the other side of the tab.
 4. A chair according to claim 1, wherein said non-flexible tabs are discrete from said seat and back member, and said straps extend through means provided in the edges of said seat and back member.
 5. A chair according to claim 1, wherein said floor or ground-engaging support comprises a pair of spaced-apart elongate members in the form of a closed geometric figure.
 6. A chair according to claim 1, wherein said external seat and back supporting frame is in the form of an L-shaped closed geometric figure.
 7. A chair according to claim 1, wherein said seat and back member is perforated and has an integral peripheral frame.
 8. A chair according to claim 5, wherein said floor or ground-engaging support comprises a pair of spaced-apart elongate members each in the form of a pair of triangles affixed to each other.
 9. A chair according to claim 5, wherein said closed geometric figures are trapezoids. 